Victoria Pinedo of Osceola County delivered the winning speech on Oct. 29 during the 2015 Youth Speech Contest at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Ponte Vedra Beach. Pinedo received $500 for her first place presentation. She is currently a 10th grader at Osceola High School in Kissimmee.

Pinedo was one of eight teens across the Sunshine State who competed in the statewide Youth Speech Contest. Contestants presented a five-minute speech on the assigned topic “How does Florida’s Right to Farm Act help farmers and ranchers when their rights are challenged?”

The contest is sponsored by the Florida Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Program and is intended to provide a clearer understanding of the many facets of agriculture and its importance for everyday living.

“The Youth Speech Contest provides opportunities for our young people to learn about agriculture while building up their confidence as public speakers,” said Michael Rogalsky, Field Services director.
The contest is open to any student who is 14 years of age and not over 18 years of age by the date of registration. Students must be a resident of the county of the sponsoring Farm Bureau. The contest consists of a county, district and state competition level. Speech content must be consistent with Farm Bureau policies.
Samuel West of Manatee County placed 2nd place in the competition and received $250. All district winners received a plaque at the state annual meeting.

The Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program is committed to telling the farming story at the local, state and national level. Farm Bureau Women are actively involved with schools, charitable organizations and various events to promote public understanding about agriculture.

Florida Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agricultural organization, represents more than 144,000 member-families. We serve to enhance farm enterprise and improve rural communities.